Latest News
21 Jul 2025
West Devon Invests Second Home Tax In New Housing
West Devon Borough Council has committed to investing £80,400 from second home council tax income to support the purchase of two new homes under the Government’s Local Authority Housing Fund...
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21 Jul 2025
RMTG Sounding Boards: Rural Voices of All Ages Heard
Earlier this month, the Rural Services Network hosted two Sounding Board sessions for its Rural Market Town Group (RMTG), bringing together local representatives to explore the unique challenges facing both...
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21 Jul 2025
New Chair of the Rural Coalition appointed
A new Chair of the Rural Coalition has been appointed following the retirement of longstanding Chair Margaret Clark CBE. Mark Pragnell took over the reins of the Coalition last week,...
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21 Jul 2025
Dedicated Support for Rural communities to end
Last week the Government advised Local Authorities that the UK Shared Prosperity Fund is coming to an end in March 2026, as set out in the latest Spending Review document....
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14 Jul 2025
English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill Launched
The Government introduced the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill to Parliament last week, describing it as a landmark step in its ambition to decentralise power and drive local growth...
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14 Jul 2025
The Case for Affordable Rural Housing
A major new research report was launched on Monday 7 July to mark the start of Rural Housing Week, setting out practical solutions to address the chronic shortage of affordable...
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14 Jul 2025
Right to Buy Reform Could Save Rural Pubs and Shops
A community’s right to buy a local asset or business was announced in Parliament last week and welcomed by rural community business charity Plunkett UK. As part of the English...
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14 Jul 2025
Exploring the Impact of Devolution on Affordable Rural Housing
The delivery of affordable housing remains one of the most pressing challenges facing rural communities. In many parts of England, rural house prices continue to rise faster than wages, outpacing...
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14 Jul 2025
BT’s National Telecare Campaign Supports Transition to Digital Voice
BT’s National Telecare Campaign is supporting vulnerable and telecare-reliant customers through the nationwide transition from analogue landlines to Digital Voice. The campaign helps identify users who may need additional support,...
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14 Jul 2025
RSN Hosts Rural Housing Week Member Seminar
As part of Rural Housing Week 2025, the Rural Services Network was pleased to host a member-exclusive seminar on Rural Affordable Housing on Wednesday 9 July. The session brought together...
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